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March 19, 2006 - 6:21am
#1
Cartridge Selection and Setup
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Here is an inexpensive cart protractor that most vinyl-philes should own, or one similar to it. It can get you fairly precise cart allignment. It is not a good a Wally Tools, but with a decent price.
If you are looking for an entry level cartridge the the Stanton 500EEE, which was one of the defacto standard radion station playback cart for decades. The newer Shure M97HE would also be a good place to start if more funds are available. You will want at least an elliptical cartridge, not spherical, if you want better stereo spread.
You can also find any number of phono cartridges at the Needle Doctor that will fit in any price range. Good luck. Turntable Basics Needle Doctor
Hi Jim, Thanks for the great link to the Cartridge Alingment Tool. Its definately something I need.
The Stanton Cartridge is also something I'll look into after I get the alignment too.
I'm just getting back into this and trying to stay in my limited budget. Suggestions such as your really help in making good decisions as to where my money goes. Thanks Again.
As an update, I realigned the cartridge to square on the headshell and my sound stage has come back to center. I do have some work to do, room acoustics, speaker placement, and cable breakin, but then again, I really want to upgrade the whole table eventually.
Don
Hi Don
I have nothing more to add to Jim's comments,except,when a manufacturer states that his cartridge works' in the range of say,1.0-1.5 grams,it usually works better in the upper range than the lower.Also,you get much less vinyl wear by working the cartridge in the upper range than the lower.
of course,experiment and trust your ears.
I am not familiar with the the AT cart, but the E might indicate that it is elliptical and the Stanton 500 would probably NOT be an upgrade. The Shure M97HE probably would. Stick with what you have and after you have it properly alligned you may be satisfied with the results. You could check with the Audio Technica web site for specs on that cart. Michael Fremer deserves a lot of credit for keeping vinyl alive in the 21st Century.
ps I looked up your cart and it is .4 x .7 elliptical. Keep it until you are ready to really move up.